WhatsApp updates both main app and beta with new features

WhatsApp has some new features hitting both the production version of its app that most users have as well as the beta version of the app that some users may be making use of. The changes all appear to be focused on making the platform much more useful as a communications platform that can meet a variety of needs for users.

The main WhatsApp app gets the ability to add formatting to text messages. The options include bold, italics and strikethrough. Instead of using buttons or a formatting menu, WhatsApp opted to borrow from markdown language so users can just surround the text they want to format with the appropriate symbols. Using asterisks will yield bold text, underscores turn text italic, and putting tildes before and after a text string will result in strikethrough formatting. The markdown can be nested so users can combine formats like bold and italics.

Meanwhile, the latest beta version of WhatsApp brings a new quick reply option, solid wallpapers and some multiple selection tools. The new quick reply option appears to be modeled after the quick reply option being made available for Android N, but it will be available on other versions of the Android operating system via the WhatsApp notification card. If triggered, a popup window for entering a quick reply includes not only text, but emoji and voice input options.

Maybe not as significant, but users of the beta version are also finding they can now select solid colors for the backdrop for the app. WhatsApp already supported the use of images for backdrops, but users who wanted a solid color had to find or create their own graphic to load. Now WhatsApp comes with native support for several solid color backgrounds that can be selected with a couple swipes.

Finally, WhatsApp is changing some of the tools available and how they are accessed when users are working with multiple selections. The choices are now being provided by a direct list of options instead of a pop up overlay that WhatsApp used in the past. The actual list varies depending on whether a user is working with groups or individual users or even with chats.

If you have the WhatsApp app on your Android device, you can hit the Play Store link below to check for the updated version, which is number 2.12.535. If you are interested in joining the WhatsApp Beta testing program, we have provided the link for that as well. If you are already part of the beta program, the new update is version number 2.12.560.

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, and an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his wife and kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active in his church, a local MINI Cooper car club, and his daughter's soccer club. Jeff is married, has three kids, and a golden retriever.